Eyeing The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

But You’ll Need Special Glasses For A Great View

Austin, Texas based storyteller Meg Jerit recently unveiled her literary debut, “The Moonies: Journey to the Total Solar Eclipse.” This enchanting tale, brought to life by the artistic prowess of Tamar Blaauw and published under the esteemed banner of American Paper Optics LLC, emerges as a must-have holiday season treasure. It's not just a book; it's a gateway to the wonders of the cosmos, designed to mesmerize both young minds and adults.

Picture this…..

….the largest celestial spectacle in history is on the horizon – the Total Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 — a phenomenon that astronomers across the globe are heralding as unprecedented. “The Moonies” is your passport to this astronomical marvel. 

American Paper Optics LLC, the number one manufacturer of eclipse glasses and the creative force behind over 300 million NASA-approved, ISO and CE Certified, American-made eclipse glasses, brings an extraordinary offer. Each copy of “The Moonies” comes paired with two of their premium solar eclipse glasses, ensuring a safe, awe-inspiring viewing experience of the 2024 North American Total Solar Eclipse.

The eclipse itself promises to be a spectacle without parallel, visible across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, with the most spectacular views along a 'Path of Totality' stretching from Texas to Maine. 

Meg Jerit, stationed in Austin on this path, eagerly anticipates a cloudless sky to witness and celebrate this rare event, a phenomenon not to recur in the U.S. until 2044.

“The Moonies” is more than a story; it's a journey of imagination and wonder. Meg Jerit spins a tale of Professor Looney Moonie, an astronomer, and Starla Moonie, an astrologer, who, along with their family, embark on an interstellar adventure from Mars to Austin, Texas, in their trusty family rocketship. 

Their mission? To witness the Total Solar Eclipse, a celestial event that eluded Meg and her father, John Jerit, CEO of American Paper Optics, back in 2017.

The narrative is steeped in authenticity, drawing inspiration from Meg's childhood surrounded by eclipse glasses and a poignant memory of a missed eclipse due to an ill-timed cloud cover. This personal touch infuses the story with warmth and relatability, making it a beacon of imagination and a lesson in perseverance.

Meg Jerit's vision for “The Moonies” is to kindle a sense of wonder in children, to teach them not only about the safe viewing of eclipses but also to embrace the miraculous nature of such celestial events. It's a story that promises to leave an indelible mark on young hearts and minds, encouraging them to look up and dream beyond the horizon.

WHY did you write your new children’s book, “The Moonies” about a cartoon family’s journey to the Total Solar Eclipse in Austin, Texas – with the next big Total Solar Eclipse coming up April 8, 2024?

The Moonies is loosely based on our true story of missing the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse due to “cloud interference.” Even with my dad running American Paper Optics, the biggest manufacturer of eclipse glasses Made in the USA, we still could not control the clouds that got in the way of our 2017 eclipse viewing experience.

Many Astronomers say the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will be the “largest sky event in history” – so we released the book to help everyone get educated, give it as a holiday gift, and get ready now. We are determined not to miss the Total Solar Eclipse this time, and want to help others too.

Why did you choose to write a Graphic Novel with imaginary characters?

I wanted to write a graphic novel children’s book to help parents explain how eclipses happen to their children through images because it’s a fun story and we live in such a visual world now with short attention spans.  

What are 3 things that “The Moonies” family and your story can teach children about eclipses to prepare for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse?

It can be very confusing for children to understand eclipses. “The Moonies: Journey to the Total Solar Eclipse” can help parents teach children 1) Why eclipses happen, 2) Why it can get really dark in the middle of the day during a Total Solar Eclipse, and 3) What can get in the way of viewing an eclipse (and P.S., why you need to be ready to drive in the car to blue skies if the weather changes).  

What happened in 2017 that kept you from seeing the Total Solar Eclipse?

In 2017, I was working for my dad’s company at American Paper Optics in Memphis, Tennessee where they manufacture safe solar eclipse glasses Made in the USA. We drove from his office to Nashville to be on the “Path of Totality” to get the best views from a rooftop with a group – when suddenly a cloud appeared and blocked our eclipse view during the peak time. “The Moonies” book became a space for me to help others understand what can happen, and imagine how we could—for sure—not miss the next eclipse in 2024. 

Can you tell us about “The Moonies” family in your book and their Journey to the Total Solar Eclipse?

Sure, “The Moonies” family includes Astronomer, Professor Looney Moonie and astrologer, Starla Moonie. They decide to take a trip with their celestial kids, Sunny and Crater, to catch the Total Solar Eclipse. With their dog, Shadow, the family travels from Mars to Earth in their Rocketship. They specifically land in Austin, Texas, where I live, to see the Total Solar Eclipse. However, there are twists in this adventure, and things to teach children about eclipses.

Are any of these imaginary characters in “The Moonies” based on a person – or dog in your life? And If yes, can you please explain?

Definitely. I drew on themes from my personal experience as a teenager with a little brother to fill in the characters of the kids. “The Moonies” parents were inspired by my dad and his fiancé. The dog Shadow is definitely my dog, Nipsey. Everyone loves dogs, and Shadow plays an important role in the family seeing this Total Solar Eclipse.

Growing up with a dad who makes eclipse glasses, when did you first start getting curious about eclipses?

I grew up in a home of optical illusions. Every drawer had the potential for a pair of 3-D glasses waiting inside it. As I grew up, I learned (AROUND WHAT AGE??) that not only was my dad operating a company (American Paper Optics) that could grant you magical vision, but that there were also cool eclipse glasses that he was making to give us the ability to witness the natural wonders of an eclipse—safely.

Why did you choose to have the eclipse happen in Austin in your book, where you live now?

The April 8, 2024, Total Solar Eclipse will be seen in almost all U.S. states, Mexico and Canada.  The direct “Path of Totality” with the best views will cross 15 states from Texas to Maine. Austin is on that direct path, and I hope to have a blue sky view of this Total Solar Eclipse in Austin.

Where can people go to find out more about you and your book – and the Total Solar Eclipse coming on April 8?

You can find more information about “The Moonies” on our author website (megjerit.com). You can get eclipse glasses from American Paper Optics at EclipseGlasses.com with everything you need for the upcoming April 8, 2024 eclipse! 

Lastly, how would you describe watching an eclipse to others?

Watching an eclipse is like watching a miracle in the sky when the moon passes directly in front of the sun. For this upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, I hope millions will see this magical event from a blue sky view – without cloud interference.